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Smartphones, Technology, Social networking, Photography & StartupsMon, 08 Oct 2018 16:37:01 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9http://www.techacker.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/cropped-Techacker-Icon-160x160.pngTechackerhttp://www.techacker.com
323233464123Adopt a Minimalistic life approach with these TED talkshttp://www.techacker.com/adopt-a-minimalistic-life-approach-with-these-ted-talks/
Mon, 08 Oct 2018 14:11:28 +0000http://www.techacker.com/?p=9360Every day we are bombarded with choices. Almost every moment during the day we are choosing among various options presented to us. Do we want to wake up early? What to wear to work...

]]>I need a strong coffee to kickstart my day. It is like a habit without which my brain doesn’t function. Isn’t it the case with millions of other coffee lovers? Does coffee really make us more productive?

But why? Why caffeine affects our brain in such a manner?

Latest research shows that 61% of Americans can’t get through the day without caffeine. Coffee makes you productive. It isn’t just addictive, many times it is a cultural phenomenon as well to hang out with friends and take breaks when you are tired.

]]>9122How to Keep Personal Data Safe Before Switching Deviceshttp://www.techacker.com/keep-personal-data-safe-switching-devices/
Tue, 13 Dec 2016 14:38:09 +0000http://www.techacker.com/?p=9025Getting a new device is frequently an exciting moment in our lives. When old reliable has finally started to reach the end of its usefulness and a shiny new toy presents itself, we’re only...

]]>Getting a new device is frequently an exciting moment in our lives. When old reliable has finally started to reach the end of its usefulness and a shiny new toy presents itself, we’re only too happy to turn it on and start setting things up. We’re ready to be faster, smarter, and sexier.

Then comes the one dreadful part: everything on your old device must be migrated to the new one. That comes with its own set of challenges, which include:

Backing everything up online (on a secure network)

Transferring old data onto the new device

Removing unnecessary apps and files

Ensuring nothing is leftover on your old device

Setting up accounts

Doing everything in the right order ensures a smooth transition and a less headache you’ll need to deal with. Everything is simple enough, so let’s start from the beginning.

The Backup Phase

The first step in transferring data to a new device is to ensure everything critical is backed up. Depending on the manufacturer of your device, there are several different steps you may want to take to guarantee a smooth transfer.

Apple, for instance, allows you to back up your contacts, messages, app data and call history on their iCloud service. Similar backups are also available for Samsung and other major providers. You could also opt to use a third-party app such as Titanium Backup for Android if your provider doesn’t include a backup feature.

Just make sure you don’t skip this step. If anything goes wrong in the transfer process, you could lose important information that isn’t easily recovered.

Safely Transferring Data

Once you’ve got everything backed up, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll actually do the transfer. The first thing you’ll want to do is ensure both devices have enough charge (or a power source available) to complete the transfer. Typical transfers can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a full hour.

You should also take the opportunity to make sure there are no malicious apps on your device and that you aren’t working from an unsecured network. Running a virus scan using an antivirus app will make sure you aren’t bringing over anything “dirty” from the old device.

Safely Transfer Data

With confidence that you’re free from malware, you can begin the transfer. Transfer processes vary, but if you’re moving from the same manufacturer to the next, there will be a transfer utility. Samsung and Apple both have apps that help you migrate data from one device to the next.

If your device isn’t equipped with that feature by default, there are a few apps you can use to accomplish the same purpose:

Titanium Backup

LG Backup

Pixel’s Quick Switch Adaptor (in the case of iOS to Android)

Move to iOS (in the case of Android to iOS)

What you can actually transfer depends on the service you’re using. For instance, Pixel’s service won’t bring over all file types. In that case, you’re better off transferring them to online storage such as iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, or in the case of Android to iPhone, you can transfer them via your computer using iTunes (for music and photos anyway).

Generally, the easiest transfer is from one manufacturer to another device by that same manufacturer. For a few examples, iPhone to iPhone and Galaxy to Galaxy go fast because you can connect them directly and transfer information rapidly and seamlessly.

Removing Old Apps and Clutter

Once the data transfer is complete, you have some housekeeping to do. Older apps may not necessarily work on your new device, particularly if you’re switching operating systems and an equivalent app doesn’t exist.

This is also a good time to decide what apps you really need. Sometimes, as time goes by, you find yourself overloaded with apps you no longer use. Some of them have been abandoned and are no longer updated; these are security risks you shouldn’t take. In some cases, they won’t work on newer operating systems anyway, so they should be removed promptly.

This is also a good opportunity to start fresh on local storage. Photos and music you don’t view or listen to make your device run slower. Store them in a separate location, such as on a cloud service, on an SD card (particularly for Android users) or on a PC hard drive. This way you’ll get maximum performance from your new device.

Performing a Factory Reset

Once your new device has everything from the old device, it’s time to perform a factory reset. You’ll find the option under “Settings” on either operating system. A reset takes just a few minutes, and once it’s done, everything is deleted from your old device, except what originally came installed.

As simple as this step is, it’s one of the most crucial in protecting old information. Selling your device, trading it in or donating it without performing a reset could put you at major risk for identity theft.

Perform a Factory Reset

Setting Up Your Accounts

With your new device in tow, you’ll want to get things set up so you can get back to normal. For apps that didn’t transfer, you can check for new versions on the respective app store. Yet you’ll also need to get your old accounts back up and running.

Social media accounts don’t automatically connect after a transfer. You’ll need to log in to each one separately. That includes your email addresses, games, and other services. This is also a great time to start using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if you don’t already have one.

As an often overlooked security service, a VPN helps protect your device in its entirety from malicious internet activity directed at your connection. It works by encrypting what you do and keeping hackers from intercepting or injecting things into your internet. This review by Secure Thoughts is a good place to learn about them.

It’s also a good idea to consider a password manager. With the sheer number of services we access daily, having to remember each unique password frequently leads to making a lazy but dangerous compromise: reusing the same password.

Password managers encrypt your passwords and allow you to log in to multiple services with a single master password. That allows you to use difficult passwords for each service as you won’t need to remember them. Stolen accounts are one of the most useful tools cyber criminals can use to infiltrate the numerous different services you utilize each day.

Smooth Sailing

With your apps updated, your accounts set up and security services installed, your new device should be safe to use and free from concern. Expect to spend a few hours getting things properly organized. That being said, the work is definitely worth it.

Have other questions about migrating to a new device? Not sure about how to perform one of the steps? Post your comments and questions below.

About the Author: Caroline is a technology writer and online security blogger. With all the new threats we face online each day, there’s never a shortage of problems for her to help solve for users and businesses alike. You can follow Cariline on Twitter at @securethoughts1 and read more of her writing on technology topics at http://securethoughts.com.

]]>9025What should (not) you eat? [Infographics]http://www.techacker.com/what-should-not-you-eat-infographics/
Wed, 20 Jul 2016 16:27:13 +0000http://www.techacker.com/?p=9018There is no easy way to find out what is healthy for you and what you should be avoiding altogether. This is because there is so much free advice available online that there is...

]]>There is no easy way to find out what is healthy for you and what you should be avoiding altogether. This is because there is so much free advice available online that there is no easy way to know if all you read is true.
Hopefully, based on the survey NYTimes has published may shed some light on this mystery about healthy foods. The survey includes nutritionists and Americans in roulette-strategie general. There are some disagreements, but if you want to go with what nutritionists advise, then go for food on the left side of the dotted line as shown in the infographics.

Americans and a panel of nutrition experts weighed in about which foods they thought were good or bad for you.

]]>9018Get smarter with these 5 hobbies [Infographics]http://www.techacker.com/get-smarter-with-these-5-hobbies-infographics/
Tue, 03 Nov 2015 20:01:43 +0000http://www.techacker.com/?p=8993Who knew that playing video games could make you smarter and so could regular exercise? What? Seriously!!! At least that’s what some recent studies suggest as mentioned in the infographics below from PROessaywriter.net. Regular...

]]>Who knew that playing video games could make you smarter and so could regular exercise? What? Seriously!!!

At least that’s what some recent studies suggest as mentioned in the infographics below from PROessaywriter.net.

Regular exercise, playing a musical instrument, playing games, learning a second language and reading are the five hobbies that make you smarter. They increase your IQ and help your brain muscles grow. Playing video games improve your strategic planning and other skills.

]]>8993Can’t decide if you should quit your job?http://www.techacker.com/cant-decide-if-you-should-quit-your-job/
Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:15:49 +0000http://www.techacker.com/?p=8945It is a tough decision to make if it is really time to move on. Even if you have a really good offer at hand, it is still tricky and sometimes emotional decision to...

]]>894515 Quotes of Wisdom from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalamhttp://www.techacker.com/15-quotes-of-wisdom-from-dr-apj-abdul-kalam/
Tue, 28 Jul 2015 01:35:54 +0000http://www.techacker.com/?p=8926India lost a great person, a humble soul and a learned former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, better known as the Missile Man of India. He was not only an inspirational thought leader but...

]]>India lost a great person, a humble soul and a learned former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, better known as the Missile Man of India. He was not only an inspirational thought leader but also a great scientist and a loving personality. Today on July 27, 2015 the world lost this great leader in Shillong, India.

From time to time during his speeches at various universities and interviews, he offered his wisdom and inspiration to the youth. Below in an infographics I have tried to collect a few of them. Feel free to share the infographics on various social channels without hesitation. This is my small tribute in his great honor. I always cherish these thoughts and they help me see a different perspective towards life. Hope you like them too…

]]>8926The Photography Filters Cheat Sheet [Infographics]http://www.techacker.com/photography-filters-cheat-sheet-infographics/
Thu, 02 Jul 2015 16:44:50 +0000http://www.techacker.com/?p=8892Most photographers love to use filters. An inexpensive filter in the front of the lens can protect it from minor damages and it can help manage the light in tricky situations. Filters are useful...

]]>Most photographers love to use filters. An inexpensive filter in the front of the lens can protect it from minor damages and it can help manage the light in tricky situations. Filters are useful in a wide range of situations.

In our digital age, many software applications allow us to add filters after the fact, so some photographers don’t use it on the camera that much. However, you won’t be able to get a decent long-exposure image without using ND filter on a sunny day. Filter application has become an integral part of image sharing on Instagram and other smartphone applications.

The infographic below from ‘The Studio‘ aims to demystify 11 such lens filters and give you a handy guide to when and where to use the appropriate ones. It also tells you what effect you can achieve by using a specified filter.

Photography Filters – Infographics

Don’t forget to share your thoughts about using filters. How often do you use them and if there were situations a particular image was possible just because of a filter? Share the image if you like…Feel free to share this post with your friends and followers.

]]>8892Office Lens Android gives you a perfect scannerhttp://www.techacker.com/office-lens-android-gives-a-perfect-scanner/
Tue, 30 Jun 2015 14:11:56 +0000http://www.techacker.com/?p=8884You may have had few instances where you wanted to scan a few pages, but you probably ended up just taking a picture of that document. And that picture didn’t turn out too well....

]]>You may have had few instances where you wanted to scan a few pages, but you probably ended up just taking a picture of that document. And that picture didn’t turn out too well. Right…

Well, if you frequently need to scan a few things, you would be happy to know that Microsoft offers a great app for Android, called Office Lens Android. The app is available in Google Play Store Office Lens Android today.

The Office Lens scanner app recognizes the corners of a document, whiteboard, electronic screen or any rectangular media and automatically crops, straightens, enhances and cleans up the image.

Now available free in the Google Play Store as well besides iOS and Windows platform, Office Lens offers the following capabilities and features across all three phone platforms:

Enables images to be sent via email, making it easy to share whiteboard notes with work colleagues, submit scanned business expense receipts or ensure family and friends have copies of important paper documents.

Captures business cards and generates contacts, which can be sent to OneNote and added to your phone.

Recognizes the corners of a document and automatically crops, enhances and cleans up the image.

Identifies printed text with optical character recognition (OCR) so that you can search by keyword for the image in OneNote or OneDrive.

Inserts images to OneNote or as DOCX, PPTX or PDF files in OneDrive, providing options to save, export and share the image.

]]>8884Google Play Music Radio is like Pandora on drugshttp://www.techacker.com/google-play-music-radio-like-pandora-on-drugs/
http://www.techacker.com/google-play-music-radio-like-pandora-on-drugs/#commentsThu, 25 Jun 2015 17:25:35 +0000http://www.techacker.com/?p=8830Streaming music now a day is probably similar to what radio used to be at one time. It shouldn’t be tough to just tune-in to few songs to freshen yourself up. And you also...

]]>Streaming music now a day is probably similar to what radio used to be at one time. It shouldn’t be tough to just tune-in to few songs to freshen yourself up. And you also don’t want to break a bank to be able to listen to a few songs. Right…

Previously, you were able to get the on-demand radio service for $9.99 per month but there was no radio option for standard users. But that’s changed now. Even non-subscribers can get customized ad-supported radio stations for free. The option to be able to upload your own 50,000 songs still remain.

Note: Google Play Music radio, ad-supported version is available only in the U.S. at present. The new free, ad-supported version of Google Play Music is available on the web today, and is rolling out this week to Android and iOS.

Google Play Music Radio is a truly a music service that offers total value for money (whether you pay or not ). The reason:

Ability to add up to 50,000 previously owned songs that can be played anytime anywhere – No other service provides that option.

Ability to listen to music based on mood, activities or genre. Heck, there is a separate section for kids – Only Spotify has mood-based playlists.

Customized Day/Time Based Radio Stations

Ability to buy any album and add to your growing music library.

New Releases Albums

Ability to search and listen to any songs from a collection of millions of songs by paying a $9.99 per month subscription fees – similar to Spotify and Pandora.

At any moment in your day, Google Play Music has whatever you need music for—from working to working out, to working it on the dance floor—and gives you curated radio stations to make whatever you’re doing better. If you’re looking for something specific, you can browse the curated stations by genre, mood, decade or activity, or you can search for your favorite artist, album or song to instantly create a station of similar music.

Subscribe to Google Play Music to play without ads, take your music offline, create your own playlists, and listen to any of the 30 million songs on any device. You’ll also get ad-free, offline and background features for music videos on YouTube. And with or without a subscription, you can store and play up to 50,000 songs from your own collection for free.

What are you waiting for! Give Google Play Music another twirl and enjoy what more features the free service has to offer…